Озма из страны Оз
14. Dorothy Tries to be Brave
Verysoon,now,myfunwillbeover,andthenforamusementIshallhavenothingtodobutadmiremynewornaments."
"Itseemstome,"saidDorothy,"thatyouarenotsohonestasyoupretendtobe."
"How’sthat?"askedtheKing.
"Why,youmadeusthinkitwouldbeeasytoguesswhatornamentsthepeopleofEvwerechangedinto."
"ItISeasy,"declaredthemonarch,"ifoneisagoodguesser.Butitappearsthatthemembersofyourpartyareallpoorguessers."
"WhatisTiktokdoingnow?"askedthegirl,uneasily.
"Nothing,"repliedtheKing,withafrown."Heisstandingperfectlystill,inthemiddleofaroom."
"Oh,Iexpecthe’srundown,"saidDorothy."Iforgottowindhimupthismorning.Howmanyguesseshashemade?"
"Allthatheisallowedexceptone,"answeredtheKing."Supposeyougoinandwindhimup,andthenyoucanstaythereandmakeyourownguesses."
"Allright,"saidDorothy.
"Itismyturnnext,"declaredtheScarecrow.
"Why,youdon’twanttogoawayandleavemeallalone,doyou?"askedthegirl."Besides,ifIgonowIcanwindupTiktok,sothathecanmakehislastguess."
"Verywell,then,"saidtheScarecrow,withasigh."Runalong,littleDorothy,andmaygoodluckgowithyou!"
SoDorothy,tryingtobebraveinspiteofherfears,passedthroughthedoorwayintothegorgeousroomsofthepalace.Thestillnessoftheplaceawedher,atfirst,andthechilddrewshortbreaths,andpressedherhandtoherheart,andlookedallaroundwithwonderingeyes.
